Media Releases

Bits of Australia is a specialist online retailer offering a unique range of contemporary Australian made handcrafts, boutique souvenirs and gifts that celebrate and reflect the beauty, culture and creativity of Australia and its people.

For more information about Bits of Australia, images and interviews please contact:

maria@bitsof.com.au

Media Alert December 2015

Bits of Australia: keep souvenir dollars on our shores

New Australian made and designed souvenir collection launched

Melbourne based online retailer, Bits of Australia has today launched a new collection of locally designed and made souvenirs and gifts, as part of a plan to keep more souvenir dollars on local shores and make Australian made products more readily available and accessible to the world.

The Bits of Australia souvenir range features original illustrations of popular Australian icons including the red-back spider, wombat, koala, kangaroo and crocodile. An Aussie wildflower pattern, Sydney and Melbourne city landscape illustrations also form part of this contemporary and fun new collection.

Micaela Smith, Founder and Managing Director of Bits of Australia said that the new souvenir range is another step forward on her mission to change the Australian souvenir landscape. “Demand for Australian made is growing. We know that consumers and travelers are sick and tired of turning over their souvenirs only to find it was made in another country.”

“Bits of Australia is committed to supporting homegrown artists, designers, businesses and suppliers and we know that consumers want to do the same, but the range currently available is very limited. We saw this as an opportunity to develop our own range of quality souvenirs that would compliment our existing stock, as well as compete with and help move shoppers away from buying these cheap overseas versions,“ Micaela explained.

Bits of Australia souvenirs have been designed and manufactured in Victoria and Tasmania, are registered with the Australian Made Campaign and include the famous green and gold kangaroo logo - a registered certification trademark for Australian made products.

The range currently includes notebooks and notepads, sticky notes, luggage tags, gift tags, fridge magnets and drink coasters. All products are now available online, priced from $6.50 - $15.00 (AUD) and available for retail and wholesale purchase.

“Heading into this peak summer holiday season, we can now offer a good selection of attractive and affordable gift choices that will ensure overseas travelers return home with authentic Australian made souvenirs,” Micaela added.

Bits of Australia launched in April 2014 and is one of the leading online suppliers of boutique Australian made gifts and souvenirs, currently stocking more than 1,200 home-wares, fashion accessories, toys, skincare, stationery and souvenirs that are suitable for all occasions.

Bits of Australia offers retail customers free delivery within Australia for orders over $50 and a flat rate international shipping fee of just $15. Visit www.bitsofaustralia.com.au for more information.

ENDS

Media Alert October 2015

Bits of Australia: Australian Made Doesn’t Cost More

Christmas campaign highlights 700 affordable gifts made in Australia

Online gift retailer, Bits of Australia will challenge the widespread perception that buying Australian made is more expensive, launching a national ‘Bits of Christmas’ campaign this month, that encourages shoppers to buy locally made gifts this festive season.

“The price tag is still one of the key decision making factors when buying gifts,” says

Micaela Smith, Founder and Managing Director of Bits of Australia. “We know that buying Australian made products and services helps support the local community and economy, but there is a strong belief that buying Australian made means spending more. We want to change this misconception!”

The Bits of Christmas campaign will run until Friday 25 December, highlighting more than 700 Christmas gift ideas and products ($25 and under) for men, women and kids that won’t break the bank and support independent artists and designers, local communities, small businesses and suppliers from all around Australia.

“While we will continue to stock a selection of premium products, our focus and goal is to make good quality Australian made products more accessible for everyone, and that means offering more affordable options. At the end of the day, shoppers are looking for the best value and savings, especially around Christmas time.”

The Bits of Christmas campaign asks Australians to vote with their fingers not their feet and calls on shoppers to buy their Christmas gifts online, directly from Australian retailers and suppliers. “Shopping online saves time and takes away the hassle of parking and dealing with crowds. It’s also a great way to avoid the temptation of spending more at the big shopping centres and department stores,” Micaela added.

Launching in April 2014, Bit of Australia has been sourcing and supplying authentic Australian made products, gifts and souvenirs for just over a year and already boasts a huge range of more than 1,200 unique handcrafted, boutique gifts suitable for all occasion at any time of the year.

Bits of Australia offers free delivery within Australia for orders over $50 and a flat rate international shipping fee of just $15.

Visit www.bitsofaustralia.com.au for more information and to support the Bits of Christmas campaign.

ENDS

Media Alert June 2015

Bits of Australia partners with Indigiearth to celebrate NAIDOC Week

Free Indigiearth travel kit with orders over $50

Bits of Australia, a leading online source of Australian made gifts and souvenirs, has partnered with Indigiearth an Aboriginal owned and operated company, to help promote indigenous products, organisations and artists as part of NAIDOC Week from 5 – 12 July.

NAIDOC week encourages people to acknowledge and support the talents of Indigenous individuals and recognise the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Offering more than 80 products made or inspired by Indigenous artists and companies, Bits of Australia will give away a free Indigiearth travel kit (RRP $12.00) with all orders over $50 or more during NAIDOC week.

Micaela Smith, Founder and Director of Bits of Australia said, “our partnership with Indigiearth, aims to highlight Indigenous artists and organisations, whose work plays a vital role in preserving and sharing the traditional stories and history of our country.”

“Bits of Australia promotes and supplies Australian-made products internationally, so whether you’re treating yourself or need a gift for a friend or family member near or far, there’s a huge range of wonderful Indigenous products to suit all tastes,” Miss Smith added.

Bits of Australia is committed to selling Australian Made gifts that directly benefit the artists and their community, and information about the artists and their work is included in the packaging.

Visit www.bitsofaustralia.com.au to see the full selection of gifts and souvenirs created by Indigenous artists and organisations.

ENDS

Media Alert October 2014

GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF AUSTRALIA THIS CHRISTMAS!

Celebrate and share the beauty, culture and creativity of Australia

Melbourne based, specialist online retailer Bits of Australia is calling on all Aussies to support local communities and small businesses this festive season, by giving Australian made Christmas gifts that celebrate our country’s vibrant and rich history and culture.

Micaela Smith, Founder and Managing Director of Bits of Australia said it was the overall lack of contemporary Australian made gifts available on the market that led her to become an active champion of home-grown creativity and design. “It was near impossible to find any appealing Australian made gifts for Christmas and birthdays while living in London.

After moving to Australia, we found the range of cheesy and clichéd merchandise equally as disappointing and most of it was produced overseas!” Ms. Smith said.

Launched in early 2014, Bits of Australia sources authentic Australian made products, gifts and souvenirs from independent artists and designers, local communities, small businesses and suppliers around Australia, and makes them available at www.bitsofaustralia.com.au.

“The aim of Bits of Australia is to make Australian made products and gifts more accessible to anyone, anytime and anywhere in the world.”

“It’s great for the 6.4 million* migrants currently living in Australia, who may be looking to share a little piece of their new life with friends and loved one’s back home this Christmas.”

“We also provide a great way for tourists to avoid excess baggage fees and save space in their luggage with an affordable international flat rate shipping fee. Locals also benefit with free delivery within Australia for purchases over $30 while supporting the local economy,” Ms. Smith added.

Bits of Australia offers a selection of more than 600 handcrafts and boutique gifts across 20 categories that make unique and memorable Christmas gifts, including handmade jewelry, striking home-wares, quirky art and stationery, lovable soft toys and natural skincare for men and women.